Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Bober

Thomas W. Bober has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11149984
    Abstract: An apparatus supporting a thermal or hydronic expansion tank in fluid communication via a pipe nipple with a water heater in a water piping system. The supporting apparatus comprises a mounting base adapted to be mounted directly to the water heater. A rack constructed of rigid material is adapted to be secured to the tank. The rack is fastened to the mounting base. The tank is mounted in a vertical orientation on the water heater with the pipe nipple pointing upward or downward. There is sufficient spatial separation of the tank from the mounting base to permit the tank to be insulated or otherwise covered for protecting the tank from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: James T. Bober, Thomas W. Bober
  • Publication number: 20190093923
    Abstract: An apparatus supporting a thermal or hydronic expansion tank in fluid communication via a pipe nipple with a water heater in a water piping system. The supporting apparatus comprises a mounting base adapted to be mounted directly to the water heater. A rack constructed of rigid material is adapted to be secured to the tank. The rack is fastened to the mounting base. The tank is mounted in a vertical orientation on the water heater with the pipe nipple pointing upward or downward. There is sufficient spatial separation of the tank from the mounting base to permit the tank to be insulated or otherwise covered for protecting the tank from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: James T. Bober, Thomas W. Bober
  • Patent number: 5695645
    Abstract: Spent solutions from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220)for removal of any unsettled fines. Many of the clumps of flocculated solids become enlarged enough to individually extend across and substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the conduit. As a result, the enlarged clumps substantially block passage of and strain from the solution remaining fine particles which then adhere to the clumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bober, Terry W. Pearl, Dominick Vacco, David C. Yeaw
  • Patent number: 5688401
    Abstract: Spent solutions from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220) for removal of any unsettled fines. Many of the clumps of flocculated solids become enlarged enough to individually extend across and substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the conduit. As a result, the enlarged clumps substantially block passage of and strain from the solution remaining fine particles which then adhere to the clumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bober, Terry W. Pearl, Dominick Vacco, David C. Yeaw
  • Patent number: 5549820
    Abstract: Spent solution from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220) for removal of any unsettled fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bober, Terry W. Pearl, Dominick Vacco, David C. Yeaw
  • Patent number: 5136338
    Abstract: Apparatus for recovering waste toner in a copier or printer includes a rotatable heating drum and a heat source for heating the drum so that its exterior surface reaches a temperature sufficient to melt toner particles. Waste toner particles that are removed by a cleaning apparatus are fed through a chute onto the surface of the heating drum for melting. A rotatable receiving roller forms a transfer nip with the heating drum for transfer receiving melted toner from the heating drum. Melted toner on the receiving roller is cooled off into a solid mass or plug of toner for clean, safe disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Greenaway, Thomas W. Bober, Kent A. Randall
  • Patent number: 4009235
    Abstract: An improved method for reclaiming waste plastic materials generated during an extrusion coating operation. A rotating funnel or other device is used to gather the hot molten plastic waste material and twist it into the shape of a rope. The plastic rope is passed through a cooling bath and one or more pinch rollers. After passing through the rollers, the plastic rope is spooled, chopped, or fed to a plastics processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Thomas W. Bober